The Catania Airport or Catania-Vincenzo Bellini Airport (CTA) is located just 4.3 kilometers southwest of Catania. This city is the second largest on the island of Sicily. The name of the Airport is after the famous Vincenzo Bellini, an opera composer who was born in the city of Catania. It is by far the busiest Airport on Sicily and the sixth busiest in all of Italy. In 2010 over six million passengers passed through. It's had recent renovations to keep up to date with them and. In 2007 a new terminal was opened with six loading bridges and 22 gates to increase Airport capacity.

The city of Catania is located between mount Etna which is Europe's biggest active volcano and the Ionian sea. It's full of beautiful Baroque architecture. There are many beautiful Baroque churches including the Palazzo Biscari. Piazza del Duomo is the principle square in the center of Catania. This is where you'll find most of the town's most popular tourist attractions.

Car rentals and Directions to Catania.....

You have access to plenty of vehicles to rent. When landing into the Catania Airport (Fontanarossa) you will find car rental agents near the baggage claim area, near the exit in the arrivals hall. Almost every rental car agency is represented including:

After walking out of the airport at the arrivals area of the terminal, you will find the rental cars bunched up and slightly to the right - but in front of the terminal. Walk about 100 meters and you will find rental car buildings lined up. Find the rental car company of your choice, get your keys, locate your car and you're good to go.

Directions to Catania from the Airport...

After picking up the rental car, get on Via Fontanarossa heading away from the airport. Keep left at the fork and just follow the road along staying on Via Fontanarossa and then turn right onto Via Santa Maria Goretti. There will be a ton of signs. Disregard the signs and make a right onto Via Santa Maria Goretti. It's a two lane highway with overhead signs clearly marking the way to Cantania. At the traffic circle, you'll want to take the 3rd exit onto Via San Giuseppe alla Rena. Driving past businesses, there will be a Mitsubishi motors to the right and a company named Auchan that will be displayed prominently on the building in bright red letters. Make a right onto the ramp to Catania/Messina/Siracusa. Signs will clearly display the direction. The ramp will take you to Via Priolo/SP70 which you'll merge onto and drive for 1.1 km.

Keep driving your rental vehicle for about 200 m and you will merge right onto Via Domenico Tempio. Stay to the left and continue on this road. It will be a divided highway with a barrier. This will last for 1.1 km. Then you'll want to turn left on Via Cristoforo Colombo. You will be making a U-turn. If you miss this turn you'll be on Via Mulino Santa Lucia. Make your way back on Via Cristoforo Colombo and then make a right on Via Aretusa. Be on the look out for this turn because there aren't any prominent signs and it could be easily missed. You'll be traveling on a narrow one way road. Make a right turn onto Via Grimaldi which turns into Piazza Federico di Svevia. Turn to the right to stay on Piazza Federico di Svevia and then another right onto Via Auteri. Take the 1st left to stay on Via Auteri which turns into Via della Lettera. Then make a final right onto Via Vittorio Emanuele II and go a little ways and you'll reach the center of the city. Into the heart of the city near the Fontana dell'Elephante (see Picture Below) and the Porta Uzeda.

Amenities at the Airport

For all the passengers moving through the airport it still seems to be lacking in shopping and dining possibilities. You can take care of your banking needs in the bank or use the ATM. There's a cafe at both the arrival and departure terminals and a full service restaurant as well as a self-serve variety located at the departure terminal. The shopping center is located on the first floor of the departure terminal as well as a Post office and VIP Lounge.

Airport Hotels

There are plenty of hotels that are just a few minutes from the airport in your rental car.

Romano Palace Luxury Hotel - Only a 5 minute drive from the airport, you have access to peaceful grounds at a beach front location. The rooms represent the Mediterranean setting with traditional furnishings as well as colors. All rooms come with LCD satellite TV and free wireless Internet. It also has a large pool. The hotel restaurant serves all the seafood and pasta of Sicily. Breakfast is also always offered which include strawberries and proscetto on the rooftop terrace viewing Mount Etna. There's 62 acres of private grounds to explore on the property with access their own private beach.NH Parco degli Aragonesi - Only a mile from the airport the NH has a private beach and outdoor swimming pool. Every room has a private balcony and TV with your choice of channels. There is Wi-Fi available in public areas, but there is a charge after the first 30 minutes. The restaurant has a wide variety of International as well as Mediterranean cuisine. They use seasonal foods in their dishes with a wide variety of wines to choose from. There is also a daily breakfast buffet. With free parking rates are around 140 euros. Hotel Valentino - The Hotel Valentino is located in a historic nineteenth century building and offers baroque furnished and designed rooms. Every room takes you back in time with antique furnishings, high vaulted ceilings that are decorated with frescoes. They come air conditioned with free Wi-Fi. The property has an Internal courtyard where breakfast is served with the many Italian traditional items. Room rates start at 69 euros.

Car Rental Destinations Distances.....

Most folks landing into the Catania Airport are eventually traveling to the Catania city itself. However, many folks have a different destination in mind. For those, we have compiled a list of car rental driving distances that are fairly close to the airport. These include the following.

Types of Rental Vehicles Available at the Catania (Fontanarossa) Airport.....

With such a wide selection of Rental companies to choose from, you would expect a large selection of rental vehicle types to choose from. And you'd be correct. Luxury cars, minivans, SUV's and economy cars are all available here at the Fontanarossa. Just use our handy booking engine to find out exactly what's available, at what price. Also, don't forget the GPS. I don't think I've ever heard of anybody who was disappointed that they rented a GPS with their rental vehicle. Thanks for shopping with Eurocarrental.net and we hope you enjoy your Catania Airport Car Rental Experience!!!!